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The engine swap I started long ago with the help of a neighbor who's not around anymore is now practically done. The KLZE engine cranks and starts (and sounds nice!). Unfortunately, because I am an idiot, we did not label the wiring harness when we disconnected everything to yank the old engine. Can ...

The brackets! Yes, they look right. That should work. (In the waning light yesterday, I didn't even see that they were brackets instead of cast parts of the engine.)

I have the AC compressor from the K8 engine, still hooked up to the AC system but unable to bolt onto the KLZE engine because the bolts don't line up with the holes.

Then I have the AC compressor that came with the KLZE, so of course the holes line up perfectly, but of course I'd rather not have to ...

SuperK, it's been nearly a year since I set out to replace the engine -- not that I've been working on it for all that time; until recently, the car sat and waited. Now the old engine is out, the KLZE is in, and we've run into a surprising snag: The old AC compressor doesn't bolt onto the new engine ...

When I put use a breaker bar, with a jack stand under the wheel bolts to keep the wheel from turning, the leverage lifts up the car instead of turning the bolt. Suggestions welcome. Otherwise I guess I'll have to try removing the spindle from the strut.

I'm in lovely and historic Arlington, Va. And I'm going to try serious leverage with a breaker bar in the morning; failing that, I guess, I can follow your suggestion about removing the spindle from the strut. But I do figure that simple is best for me.

Anybody up for remote help on the ZE swap?
Got the car in my neighbor's driveway. (I don't have a driveway.) Got the beautiful ZE engine. Got the engine hoist and assorted tools.
I'm most of the way to removing the old engine. (The nut on the driver's side axle just doesn't want to move.) Got the ...

You say, and I obey. I'll find one from '96 or '97.

Progress: I've sourced what looks to be a nice KL-ZE (compression test is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRjBG4rfK6s ), and they are throwing in a KL31 or KL36 ECU that they have lying around. The VAF I need is already on the MX-3, right?
But I am inclined to swap in the longer-geared 5-speed ...

I've decided to spend a little for the longer-geared 5-speed tranny to replace the original on my MX-3 as I swap a KL-ZE for the K8 engine. The junkyard (sorry: auto recycling center) here doesn't happen to have a mid-90s V6 MX-6 or 626 with a manual transmission that I can grab, but it has more ...

I guess I'll be picking up a DE ECU, then. And I'd be grateful for Michael Perry's contact info.

Seems to me that if replacing the chip on the K8 ECU will work pretty much as well as the KL31 or KL36, that's a much better choice. By all means pass along the contacts for your sources on chips that can do the trick. (I take it these are not the same as the chips I see advertised for $24.99 on ...

I take it the KL31 and KL36 ECUs are also JDM parts, not something I can pull off an old 626 or Millennia at the junkyard. I don't see them on eBay, either.
And once I have the right ECU to go with the KLZE, am I right in thinking it will require premium gas?

Don't things like the ECU from the original K8 engine (assuming they are still all right) just transfer to the KL engine?

I'd seen a favorable mention of those guys in Texas. Thanks for the recommendation.
But as for the transmission: Isn't there a benefit in swapping out that as well, since the longer gear ratios are designed for the bigger engine?
And am I right in thinking I should look for the curved neck rather ...